I can't believe my eyes, so I quickly move up next to the cell and look the man square in the eyes, and I know that what I am seeing is impossible, yet is a reality.

"By the stars! You're alive."

Two strong presences in the Force approach my cell as I sit, staring at the wall across from me. As they reach me, I look up to find the Bail Organa's daughter staring at me in shock, as well as a man behind her with a lightsaber hanging from his belt, "Yes I am. I will not lie, I was expecting to see your father here. When I asked for Senator Organa, that's who I envisioned."

The words cause her emotions to fluctuate, meaning only one thing, "I apologize. I did not realize he had passed."

My attention is drawn to the one with her though as I wait for her answer.. He is powerful. More powerful than anyone I had ever come in contact with besides Vader and the Emporer.

Two strong presences in the Force approach my cell as I sit, staring at the wall across from me. As they reach me, I look up to find the Bail Organa's daughter staring at me in shock, as well as a man behind her with a lightsaber hanging from his belt, "Yes I am. I will not lie, I was expecting to see your father here. When I asked for Senator Organa, that's who I envisioned."

The words cause her emotions to fluctuate, meaning only one thing, "I apologize. I did not realize he had passed."

My attention is drawn to the one with her though as I wait for her answer.. He is powerful. More powerful than anyone I had ever come in contact with besides Vader and the Emporer.

I stare at this man, and it takes everything I have to remain in control. What Leia told me about him, and our father, shakes me to my core. I knew Darth Vader had fallen far to the dark side. But I knew there was some good in him. I proved it.

I guess I just glossed over everything our father did. Pushed it aside, as if it didn't really happen. But he led the Jedi purge. He slaughtered, and led the slaughter, of countless people. And for years he was someone we all feared; the boogeyman we half expected to be behind every door.

But hearing how he tortured this man, raised him as his apprentice, and accidentally triggered the Rebellion. It's a lot to take in.
"How did you come to be here?" It's the only thing I can think to ask.

__________________
I don't care about your deathmatches. Don't even ask. I'll just report it as spam.

Mon Mothma moves towards Barrett and says, "You always were one for being direct and to the point."

Barrett takes a drag and says, "I see no other way to be. I try to be an open book on where I stand on a subject."

Mothma chuckles a bit and says, "Very ironic someone who is so open leading a covert military unit."

Barrett pauses for a moment and chuckles as well saying, "Point to you. Now why am I here?"

Mon replies, "I need to know what your intentions are. How are you planning to operate? How your existence once again will impact the alliance? For the good that you did on your most recent operation there are already questions being raised. Questions that I am not sure I will be able to answer openly or if I should even try to answer. The existence of your unit as made things, once again, somewhat complicated."

Barrett stands up and looks out into the sky. He turns back to Mon Mothma taking a drag and letting itgo says, "To be honest I don't know."

He puts out the cigar and says, "I wish I could give you a more direct answer, but we live in a galaxy where the lines between good and evil can sometimes get blurred for those of us in the trenches doing the work that diplomats don't want to know about."

Mothma stands and says, "There is never a blur between right and wrong Alexander, and in terms of diplomacy tell me honestly would you not give up everything tomorrow for a chance to see peace happen in our galaxy without a single shot being fired or a single soldier dying?"

Barrett replies, "I certainly would but you and I both know that is never going to happen that's why you came to me to try and stop the Empire's invasion on Roon."

Mothma looks at him inquisatively and he continues, "Leia despises me she didn't come willingly, and there are only two people who knew where I was. You and Ball-Organa were the only ones so you figured out of my loyalty to him by sending her I would just fall in line. You figured wrong I didn't do it out of loyalty to the Alliance or anyone. I got invovled there because there were good people on that planet being slaughtered and tortured who didn't deserve anything like that. I saw a great injustice being enacted against them and I took action. Not to mention there are those in the Empire that would love to see me dead, and I have no intention of letting that happen anytime soon."

Mothma nods and says, "Good deduction on your part Alexander. Answer me this though; why are you back? Why didn't you just go to another planet and stay in hiding."

Barrett closes his eyes and remembers the little girl he helped save. Whose family he saw slaughtered, because he chose not to get involved. The guilt and pain begin to pound on him.

He steadies himself and replies, "You have no clue what you're asking about. My reasons are my own. Know this though I'm doing this so the next generation may have the chance of knowing a galaxy knowing a life without the specter of the Empire."

Mothma crosses to him and says, "Your intentions are certainly pure, but there are lines that you maybe crossing that could put us at cross puposes how do you purpose I deal with that? There are those who would like nothing more than to see the Alliance painted as the new Empire and the actual Empire seen as sympathetic."

To be continued....

Barrett looks at Mon Mothma and says, " I'm not saying that things aren't going to become difficult from time to time. There will be many moments where my unit and I will take actions that many will find morally questionable. All that being said I give you my word as an officer I will not do anything that will cause people to doubt the Alliance and what it stands for. If that happens ..."

He bows his head and says, "I will turn myself in. No resistance no compromises and declare my career over. I will also honor the agreement that I made with Leia."

Barrett looks at Mon and she nods. He replies, "Obviously you know about that. I have taken every pre-caution I can to ensure that my unit and I have no direct ties to the Alliance. We are basically a Rebel Alliance unto ourselves but we will not take any action against anyone within the alliance or declare any alligence that runs counter to the Alliance itself. If I should have to turn myself in I only ask for one request...."

Mon says, "Your crew be spared."

Barrett says, "Am I that predictable?"

Mon smiles a little and he says, "They still have bright careers ahead of them and they can make a difference. That's all I ask. "

Mon replies, "Fair enough."

She walks over to the altar where she once stood pronouncing judgement against him and says, "You're playing a very dangerous game one I am not sure how I feel about it, but your team is effective and you are one of the brightest military minds I've ever seen. For now I will allow you to function, but know this if you should do anything that jeopardizes the Alliance or it's mission no deal will save you from the Spice Mines of Kessel this time General."

Barrett nods and says, "That's the first time you've called me by my rank; ma'am."

She nods and says, "You have earned it. I along with the others may not care for you personallity or actions, but be there no doubt you are very good at what you do."

Barrett says, "I have to admit I'm not very trusting of diplomats and politicians, but if it wasn't for you the Alliance would've died a long time ago. Tell me something why did you come to find me. You could've had others take care of the Empire on Roon before they even got there."

She replies, "6 Months before Leia came to you General Hartman who was dying at the time and served with you sought me out. To make a direct appeal to bring you back. He felt there was new information that should be considered."

Mon Mothma pulls out a Data-Pad and a 3-D image of a partially built Death Star appears she says, "You knew where the first one was being built and you were preparing to lead a covert operation against it, but our arresting you prevented it. Why didn't you tell us about this information at your trial? If I had known about this I might've been able to stop the proceedings against you. I'm sorry I didn't trust you."

Barrett replies, "I had a contact within the regional Governors to bring the Alliance officially into the operation could've compromised his identity, endangered his family and our unit. I wasn't sure who I could trust at the time. I felt that you all had a better network of spies that could've done everything we did, and in the end I over-estimated your network of spies. I should've trusted you and I'm sorry about that as well."

Mon says, "I wish we could change the past General, but we can't all we can do now is learn from it and move on."

She extends her hand.

Barrett looks at it and then her. He snaps to attention, salutes her and says, "Yes Ma'am."

Mothma bows slightly to him and says, "Until we meet again General."

Barrett drops his salute and bows slightly. Mon Mothma leaves him.

Barrett lights a cigar and begins taking a drag.

Oh yeah, I'm back!

__________________
Know yourself & your enemy & you need not fear the outcome of a thousand battles-- General Sun-Tzu

I stare at this man, and it takes everything I have to remain in control. What Leia told me about him, and our father, shakes me to my core. I knew Darth Vader had fallen far to the dark side. But I knew there was some good in him. I proved it.

I guess I just glossed over everything our father did. Pushed it aside, as if it didn't really happen. But he led the Jedi purge. He slaughtered, and led the slaughter, of countless people. And for years he was someone we all feared; the boogeyman we half expected to be behind every door.

But hearing how he tortured this man, raised him as his apprentice, and accidentally triggered the Rebellion. It's a lot to take in.
"How did you come to be here?" It's the only thing I can think to ask.

I ponder the question that the male asks. If I was being honest with myself it would be a difficult one to answer. I have been through so much, if my visions are correct, and if that is the case the answer could be a long one.

But even then, it would be incomplete. The remaining holes in my memory become more frustrating as I fill the others in, and I still don't even know my true name. Even then, if my visions are correct, it's possible no one does.

Except Juno.

"I do not know," I respond, obviously struggling with the words. "I woke up on Kamino less than a month ago as the Empire scrambled to clean evidence. I possess little memory of who I am, not even my real name, and that which I do remember comes to me through visions of the past. At least I believe them to be visions of the past. I escaped the planet, and began searching for the one name, the one person I remember. Juno Eclipse. I tracked her path to Coruscant, where I infiltrated the defensive network and found she was part of a Rogue Squadron. That was all the info I received before I was arrested."

As they process the information I continue, "While in my cell, I had a vision of a meeting with the Organas, General Kota, Mon Mothma, and Garm Bel Iblis that was interrupted by Vader. The second time he betrayed me and left me for dead."

I ponder the question that the male asks. If I was being honest with myself it would be a difficult one to answer. I have been through so much, if my visions are correct, and if that is the case the answer could be a long one.

But even then, it would be incomplete. The remaining holes in my memory become more frustrating as I fill the others in, and I still don't even know my true name. Even then, if my visions are correct, it's possible no one does.

Except Juno.

"I do not know," I respond, obviously struggling with the words. "I woke up on Kamino less than a month ago as the Empire scrambled to clean evidence. I possess little memory of who I am, not even my real name, and that which I do remember comes to me through visions of the past. At least I believe them to be visions of the past. I escaped the planet, and began searching for the one name, the one person I remember. Juno Eclipse. I tracked her path to Coruscant, where I infiltrated the defensive network and found she was part of a Rogue Squadron. That was all the info I received before I was arrested."

As they process the information I continue, "While in my cell, I had a vision of a meeting with the Organas, General Kota, Mon Mothma, and Garm Bel Iblis that was interrupted by Vader. The second time he betrayed me and left me for dead."

I listen as he tells his story and I feel the anger I've felt toward my father...my true father again rise to the surface. For years, I've tried to forgive, or at the very least understand the things that he had done after he had turned to the dark side.

I've tried to look past the atrocities he has committed as the actions of a man who had been deceived and manipulated by a meglomaniacal tyrant.

But as I listen to this man speak, I'm reminded of exactly what kind of horrors he had inflicted upon the galaxy, and just why it is so important that we never allow that kind of brutality to have any place in this galaxy ever again.

"Juno Eclipse..." I left the name drift from my lips.

I knew the woman in the early days of the rebellion. She had been Starkiller's pilot and confidant, but after the fall of the Empire I lost contact with her. The last I heard she had been captured along with several others when she had been separated from the rest of Rogue Squadron while on an escort mission near Imperial space.

I don't know what happened to her after that, but perhaps I know someone who might have an idea as to where to start looking.

"I'm sorry, I don't know where she is. But I might know someone who can help."

I pause before adding, "But first, we need to get you out of that cage."

The mottled sky turns to streaks, and then the Lady Luck seemingly snaps out of hyperspace and the crew find themselves staring at the planet Tatooine before them.

The last time Joren and his friends were here, he had hoped never to return. They had found themselves the targets of a brutal gang of Rodian thugs, and Joren himself had been the target of an Anzati with the intent to eat his brains.

It was also the place where his friends had learned of his Jedi heritage. It had been uncomfortable for several days after the revelation of his family lineage, but eventually things had gotten back to normal. With everything that had happened on this planet, Joren would have been happy to have seen the last of it.

Yet...here they are.

Joren looks out of the front viewport as Dono brings the Lady Luck closer to the planet and feels a pang of dread, and excitement. He doesn't know if Kelsa is on Tatooine, or if she had been taken there at all. He reaches out through the Force and try as he might, he can't locate her on the desert world.

He can feel millions of life forms on the planet surface, but she is not among them. And for a moment her fears the worst, but he does his best to push those fears aside, but try as he might, they remain in the back of mind.

As the Lady Luck enters the planet's atmosphere, Dono, who is not wearing his customary Madalorian helmet looks over to Joren and asks,

"Where do we start?"

"Drexlan has alot of contacts over in Mos Eisley. I think we should start there."

After helping Han with the Falcon, Mission and I stand alone and across from each other in the Millenium Falcon's private hangar. She has her Mandalorian iron sword brandished in an attack pose, and I stand with my lightsaber ready to deflect her attacks. She rushes me, and in a flurry of strikes I deflect her away.

I then press the attack with my weapon, the orange, humming blade slicing through the air. I manage to get her on the defensive, but she feigns falling, and my blade hits thing air, I tumble over myself, and she presses the offensive.

She backs me up against the wall, and I use the Force to leap over her to safety. Unfortunately, she uses it as well, and sends me tumbling yet again. And yet again she presses her advantage, slicing and spinning with her blade.

But she gets cocky, and lets a whole open up in her attack. She raises her blade too high, and I bring my leg up into a stiff kick, that sends her tumbling head over shoulder. I follow up by knocking the blade from her hand, and bring my weapon down towards her with a smile, "Looks like I win that one."

"Yea, well, next time we just go hand to hand. No weapons. You won't stand a chance," she banters back. "I still need to work on my sword skills."

"Yea," I nod. "Why don't you make a lightsber? I mean you'll need one eventually."

She shakes her head, and all of a sudden becomes very serious, "No. I haven't earned one yet. You and Master Skywalker have taught me a little, but am I far from worthy."

"So is he," a voice says from behind the two of us. We turn to find the dark Jedi Kam Solusar, whom Luke had asked to join us. I can feel his presence now, and it is much more calm than it had been the other times I was in his presence. He looks back at me, "You swing your weapon like you're a Wookie. You should not rely on mere power when using a lightsaber. You must allow the Force to flow through you and guide you. A skilled swordsman will look like he is in a deadly dance. Not in a fist fight."

I honestly don't know how to react. A mere week ago, this man was attempting to kill Master Skywalker. Now he's attempting to teach me like Luke, "Oh...okay."

"Fear not," he says, obviously sensing my trepidation. "I have thought and meditatd on what your master has said. I may not yet be a true Jedi, but I must atone for my past transgressions. And I will start by teaching you how to wield your saber properly." He ignites his blade and motions to me to do the same, "Come. You will never learn until you practice with someone who knows what they are doing."

With a familiar snap-hum, the orange blade springs from the hilt of my lightsaber, and Solusar and I engage in practice combat.

Zsinj sits in his quarters, continually looking over to the chrono on his desk, watching the time go by as he waits to hear from one of his ensigns, informing him that Captain Tycho has returned with the witch.

It has been hours since he sent the captain to retrieve to woman from the surface of Dathomir, and as the minutes pass he grows more and more irritated. Since leaving the engagement at Corellia, Zsinj has grown more impatient, expecting his every wish to be carried out immediately, no matter how complex the task.

He even went on a minutes long tirade in Huttese, cursing a petty officer who did not bring his dinner in a prompt enough manner.

His patience growing thin, he is ready to throw his chrono through the large stand up mirror when his com finally squawks.

"Yes?" He says into the com, trying to sound disinterested.

"Admiral, the Captain has returned with your guest. They are waiting for you in Conference Room 216."

"Thank you Ensign, let the Captain know that I will be their momentarily."

He disconnects the com and walks over to the same mirror he had been ready to smash just moments before, and makes sure that his white Admiral unifor is pristine, once satisfied he leaves his quarters toward the designated conference room, looking forward to his meeting with the witch, Gethzerion.

Zsinj makes to the conference room that the ensign had mentioned, the doors sliding open as he approaches. Inside, he finds Captain Tylon sitting nervously with the haggard witch in a chair across the table from him.

Before he greets his guest, he takes a moment to savor the sight. He has never particularly liked Captain Tylon very much, and has only refrained from reassigning him to cleaning the refreshers on the crew deck because the man is good at what he does, and is relatively popular with the troops.

"Gethzerion, welcome to the Iron Fist."

"I would thank you for the invitation,"she says, pausing to give Tylon a sideways glance, "But I was under the impression that I didn't have much of a choice in the matter."

Zsinj chuckles loudly to himself before he continues.

"Indeed, my lady. Your...accomodations of the last several years have been less than ideal. However-" She cuts him off.

"Our accomodations, Grand Moff? Surely, you're not trying to sugar coat the fact that you have held myself and my sisters prisoners on that planet for over a decade."

Zsinj nods to Gethzerion, a sympathetic expression on his face.

"Yes...very unfortunate indeed. However, you must know that your confinement was not my doing, I was merely following the Emperor's orders."

She nods noncommittally as he continues.

"Now, it just so happens that I have a proposal that could significantly alter your current situation."

She looks at Zsinj, unable to contain her surprise.

"Who do we have to kill?" She asks, feigning disinterest. However, Zsinj knows that he has her right where he wants her.

"Who indeed." He says as he takes a seat at the head of the long conference table.

He begins to set co-ordinates back to the base when he stops for a moment.

He opens up his comm-link to the Base and talks to Lowenstein.

He says, "Since everyone is on break for the next 3 days I figured I would take a detour and enjoy some down time myself."

She asks, "Where are you too sir?"

Barrett replies, " That's for me to know and you all to never find out. I just need sometime to gather my thoughts and re-charge the batteries as it were."

Lowenstein asks, "Permission to speak freely sir?"

Barrett cloes his eyes slowly.

Rarely when she does this is it a good thing.

Barrett states, "Put me on speakers.

Lowenstein says, "You're on sir."

Barrett says, "I know you all are wondering ifsince I'm off world why you all don't get to go off-world as well. Rank has it's priviliges. However I understand about cabin fever and the need to get away from one another. There are unmarked shuttles in launch bay 2 be back in three days at 1600 hours and have a good time. Just make sure the base is secured. If it isn't secured and I come back early there will be hell to pay."

He hears quiet murmurs of " Yes" "All-right!" and other expressions.

Barrett smirks and says, "I have the transmissions signals for each shuttle and hidden homing beacons if something major comes up I will contact you all and I expect you back to the base a-s-a-p I know how to find each one of you."

There is brief silence and he says, "Barrett signing off you may now celebrate."

He hears the base errupt in shouts of joy and happiness.

Barrett smiles and shuts down his signal.

He then sets a course for Tatoonie.

I haven't seen a good pod-race in so long and I got enough credits to make it worth my while...why not?

He takes off and heads for Tatoonie

__________________
Know yourself & your enemy & you need not fear the outcome of a thousand battles-- General Sun-Tzu

The mottled sky turns to streaks, and then the Lady Luck seemingly snaps out of hyperspace and the crew find themselves staring at the planet Tatooine before them.

The last time Joren and his friends were here, he had hoped never to return. They had found themselves the targets of a brutal gang of Rodian thugs, and Joren himself had been the target of an Anzati with the intent to eat his brains.

It was also the place where his friends had learned of his Jedi heritage. It had been uncomfortable for several days after the revelation of his family lineage, but eventually things had gotten back to normal. With everything that had happened on this planet, Joren would have been happy to have seen the last of it.

Yet...here they are.

Joren looks out of the front viewport as Dono brings the Lady Luck closer to the planet and feels a pang of dread, and excitement. He doesn't know if Kelsa is on Tatooine, or if she had been taken there at all. He reaches out through the Force and try as he might, he can't locate her on the desert world.

He can feel millions of life forms on the planet surface, but she is not among them. And for a moment her fears the worst, but he does his best to push those fears aside, but try as he might, they remain in the back of mind.

As the Lady Luck enters the planet's atmosphere, Dono, who is not wearing his customary Madalorian helmet looks over to Joren and asks,

"Where do we start?"

"Drexlan has alot of contacts over in Mos Eisley. I think we should start there."

"Sounds like a plan."

Once the Lady Luck touched down in Mos Eisley; Dono, Joren, and Deena went out into the spaceport trying to find anything that could lead them to Drexlan and Kelsa, with little success.

It wasn't until they had tracked down a Bith called Modar, who had been a contact of Drexlan's did they have any success in tracking down any leads on the bounty hunter's whereabouts.

The Bith did not know where Drexlan is now, but did point them in the direction of one of the Mandalorian's closest associates; the Chevin Chuular Nem who can usually be found peddling his wares in the infamous Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina.

As the three friends enter the cantina, they see that the place is filled with a vast variety of life forms. Everything from Ewoks to Devaronians fill the dark bar, and as Dono and the Jedi make their way to the bar itself, they can feel all eyes in the place watching the new arrivals.

As they approach the bartender, Joren spots sudden movement in the back corner of the cantina which coincided with a sudden sense of fear permeates through the Force.

"There." Joren says as he points in the direction of the movement.

They head in the direction of the movement, and see a Chevin rushing away from his booth. Joren, Dono and Deena follow behind him, catching him before he can get to the door.

Once the Lady Luck touched down in Mos Eisley; Dono, Joren, and Deena went out into the spaceport trying to find anything that could lead them to Drexlan and Kelsa, with little success.

It wasn't until they had tracked down a Bith called Modar, who had been a contact of Drexlan's did they have any success in tracking down any leads on the bounty hunter's whereabouts.

The Bith did not know where Drexlan is now, but did point them in the direction of one of the Mandalorian's closest associates; the Chevin Chuular Nem who can usually be found peddling his wares in the infamous Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina.

As the three friends enter the cantina, they see that the place is filled with a vast variety of life forms. Everything from Ewoks to Devaronians fill the dark bar, and as Dono and the Jedi make their way to the bar itself, they can feel all eyes in the place watching the new arrivals.

As they approach the bartender, Joren spots sudden movement in the back corner of the cantina which coincided with a sudden sense of fear permeates through the Force.

"There." Joren says as he points in the direction of the movement.

They head in the direction of the movement, and see a Chevin rushing away from his booth. Joren, Dono and Deena follow behind him, catching him before he can get to the door.

"Where you running off to, Chuular?"

The Chevin turns and looks to Joren and Deena, and then to Dono, and Joren didn't need the Force to see the panic in the alien's face.

The Chevin swallows hard, does his best to force whatever passes for a Chevin smile and extends his arms toward Dono.

"Ah Dono! Is that you? I thought you were somebody else! What can I do for you today?"

"Where's Drexlan?"

"Drexlan? Oh, I don't know...I haven't seen him in years."

Joren puts his hand on Chuular's shoulder, giving him a slight nudge with the Force as he speaks.

"We know that isn't true. We know that you're his contact here. He has something very important to us, and we want to negotiate it's return."

"Well...I'm not sure where he is right now, but he does have a place on the outsirts of Mos Eisley, just east of here. You may want to check there. If he isn't there, you're out of luck."

"Thank you."

With that, Joren and the others make their way to the front door of the cantina, heading out into the spaceport to find Drexlan's outpost.

After an intense training session with Kam, I sit relaxing in Luke's apartment on Coruscant, gazing out over the cityscape. It's a beautiful place in it's own right, no doubt, but I do miss the fields and lakes of Corellia. The colors here are all too similar.

Out on the balcony, Solusar meditates on the day's events. I can sense there is still a conflict within him, albeit a diminishing one. Luke has worked hard since he joined us in showing him the errors of his past ways, and it seems that the light is indeed winning out inside of him.

It's a good thing too. The techniques he showed me today were incredible, and more advanced than Master Skywalker had taught me weeks ago. Granted, we haven't had much time for Master Skywalker to teach me much in the past few weeks, but still, having someone with Kam's experience and talent on our side can be extremely beneficial to us fledgling Jedi.

Mission takes a seat across from me in the spacious living area, looking down at a holopad and frowning. I pipe up, "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing," she shakes her head. "Dad's having trouble with one of the engines. I told him to get it fixed while he was here, but sometimes he's got more helmet than head."

I chuckle at Mission's use of an age old Mandalorian saying. She may be slowly becoming a Jedi in temperament, but her mannerisms and ways are still set entrenched in the Mandalorian ways of thinking. Honestly, it's probably a good thing too. By the way she fights, it's better to have her like that.

"Outside of the sector, but we've got a good lead," dad replies, obviously excited at the prospect. "We believe he's trying to ally himself with some outside influences. I'm coming to you with this first. Do you want to go after him?"

"You bet," I say with enthusiasm. "And I think I know someone else who will too."

The information Yuvo surrendered turned out to be much more useful than I had imagined. I had the names and locations of various underbosses and spice dealers in Uscru, the Senatorial District, the Works, Coco Town, and several other boroughs. My men were already hard at work mapping out spice trafficking routes and digging up more information on these underboss’s rackets.

We would soon be capable of intercepting or destroying large spice shipments on a whim and, with some planning, raid the rackets of the underbosses and eliminate them altogether. The only loose end was Yuvo. The pragmatic thing to do would have been to kill him as soon as he had given me what I wanted. He would no longer be of any use. Only a liability. But I decided to spare him. To keep my word. To offer my protection. I had hoped that it would send him a message—that times are changing and that I am offering him a chance to be on the new, winning side. And that I would be a much more merciful employer than the Black Sun. Hopefully, it would have won his loyalty. Or respect. Or it may have merely scared him out of his wits and ensured his tattling on me to his superiors. Yuvo would, without a doubt, be kept under close surveillance by my men. However, the danger of him finding some way to contact and warn his superiors still existed. And it bothered me. I do hope my mercy will not come back to bite me on the tail.

The one vital thing Yuvo was unable to provide me with was the current state of the Black Sun’s leadership. I already had the misfortune of encountering two vigos. But I had no knowledge of the Sun’s true leader—its Underlord’s—identity. No one did since Xizor died. But I was determined to find out. The organization may have been crippled with Xizor’s death but I want to make sure the death blow is delivered soon.

A week or so had passed since the Yuvo incident. So far, everything seems to be in order. My men raided several Black Sun compounds and intercepted multiple spice shipments. The Sun was completely unprepared, meaning Yuvo hadn’t squealed. And while my men were busy ruining the Sun, I was rising to prominence on Coruscant. The restaurants, bars, and clubs—particularly the Outlander Club—were providing a heavy and constant flow of credits my way. With Uscru’s mayor and police captain behind bars, several districts were reporting less crime and Choller was managing to get more legislation passed. My security services remained popular with the rich and powerful, Ephant Mon kept Tatooine under my thumb, and my clan rivals—Gorga, Pazda, Grubba, Jelasi, and Anachro—all dead. It was too good to be true.

Tonight, my men prepared themselves for another raid. This time they were to take out a powerful underboss named Wayland Bostero and capture an incoming fifty kilo shipment of glitterstim coming his way. I, on the other hand, was preparing for something quite different: a gala.

Governor Choller had invited me to special fundraising event. Prominent Coruscanti artists will auction off their works and all proceeds will be donated to families who’ve lost members in the Galactic Civil War. Hopefully, my appearance at this event will put me in good standings with the Coruscanti elite. I feel it’s about time I earn some recognition for my contributions to this planet.

I prepped myself by adorning my fingers with my favorite rings, splashed on a great deal of pheromone-enhanced Falleen cologne, chewed a wad of Kinyen mint leaves and called on my accountants to have an airtaxi ready. The accountants would be accompanying me to the gala—serving as an entourage, a means of keeping track of how much I spend tonight, and as a way of relaying messages to my men. They were all equipped with comm-links for this purpose, and, although I doubt I’d need to have to contact my soldiers, I feel it’s best to be prepared for the worst.

Joruus surveys the surroundings I have provided for him on this world. He grunts noncommittally as he wonders from room to room. I patiently follow behind him certain that, whatever his feelings, he will accept the situation.
"I am accustomed to a domicile more...suitable for a Jedi master."

"I completely understand. This was short notice. Another week, and all would meet to your satisfaction."

C'Baoth just grunts again. He looks out a window over the city further down the mountainside. "These are not my people."
"No, they are not. I can understand why you would prefer to wait on Weyland, but the security issues-"

"Yes, yes," he waves at me dismissively. "Security. I am well aware of the difficulties that would arise. I am not a fool, Thrawn."
"Oh...I am well aware of that. Master C'Baoth."

He glares at me for a moment, and I assume he is trying to probe with the Force again. I smile inwardly, pushing down the desire to pet the ysalamiri on my back. But just as quickly as his stare began, it is gone, his thoughts on a new matter.

"I will bring order to these people like I did on Weyland."
"I do not doubt. Who can deny your will?"

"Yes...who...?" he stares at me again. I return the glare with a small smile.
"My sources say you shouldn't have to wait long. Once the information of your whereabouts are leaked through the unofficial channels, word will soon spread that there is a Jedi on Jomark"

But C'Baoth is no longer listening. "It shouldn't take long to bring these people under control. I will be able to do much with a week."

"A week might be optimistic."

"No...I have seen it. A week. Possibly more, but not much longer. And then I will have my Jedi."

And I'll have one less weapon to concern myself with. And possibly one more in my arsenal...

The reports from the Imperial intelligence network make me grin. Apparently, there are rumors spreading far and wide that a new Jedi has appeared on Jomark. And not just a Jedi, but some people believe he might even be some sort of Jedi master.

It's only a matter of time now...

"And the Draukyze attack force?" I ask, scrolling down to the pertinent information.

"Gathered at the staging area and awaiting the launch time."
"Very good. And Ackbar's response so far?"

"Our spies report that the Republic has been forced to provide escort squadrons with virtually every shipment. And they are still suffering a serious shortage in freighters."

"Not surprising. We've forced them to spread their supply lines far thinner than they ever anticipated. There's a reason these tactics worked so well for the Rebels."

"Indeed, Admirial. Everything is proceeding according to plan."

I lean back in my chair. "That is the problem, Captain. Nothing ever goes exactly to plan."

"But what haven't we accounted for, Admiral?"
"That's the question, Captain. The problem isn't that I don't have an answer...it's that I have too many. But...I do have some ideas..."

"Any you care to share, sir?"

I think for a moment. "Not at this time. I want to be left alone now, Captain. If you would over see the raid on Draukyze from the bridge?"

I listen as he tells his story and I feel the anger I've felt toward my father...my true father again rise to the surface. For years, I've tried to forgive, or at the very least understand the things that he had done after he had turned to the dark side.

I've tried to look past the atrocities he has committed as the actions of a man who had been deceived and manipulated by a meglomaniacal tyrant.

But as I listen to this man speak, I'm reminded of exactly what kind of horrors he had inflicted upon the galaxy, and just why it is so important that we never allow that kind of brutality to have any place in this galaxy ever again.

"Juno Eclipse..." I left the name drift from my lips.

I knew the woman in the early days of the rebellion. She had been Starkiller's pilot and confidant, but after the fall of the Empire I lost contact with her. The last I heard she had been captured along with several others when she had been separated from the rest of Rogue Squadron while on an escort mission near Imperial space.

I don't know what happened to her after that, but perhaps I know someone who might have an idea as to where to start looking.

"I'm sorry, I don't know where she is. But I might know someone who can help."

I pause before adding, "But first, we need to get you out of that cage."

"I know the administrator of this facility, I'll go speak to him personally about your release."

I turn to leave, but turn again and face the man in the cage, still unable to explain his survival.

"Luke, why don't you stay here...I'm sure there is alot you two would like to discuss."

I turn and leave, knowing full well just how uncomfortable this meeting could be for my brother.

As Leia Organa goes to ensure my release, I study the man in front of me again. His power is evident, that much is for sure. And he has control of it, which is even more impressive. but who he is I cannot tell. Conversation was never one of my strong suits, but I ask the man, "Who are you Luke? Are you a Jedi? Or do you just wear a lightsaber on your belt?"

As Leia Organa goes to ensure my release, I study the man in front of me again. His power is evident, that much is for sure. And he has control of it, which is even more impressive. but who he is I cannot tell. Conversation was never one of my strong suits, but I ask the man, "Who are you Luke? Are you a Jedi? Or do you just wear a lightsaber on your belt?"

I grin at his joke and take a seat on the cot opposite the chair he sits in. "I'm a Jedi. A Master, actually."

The man is powerful, but in turmoil. He's filled with confusion, and anger, and hope, and love. I'd rather not add fire to the situation, but withholding information now will just make matters worse later.

Luke Skywalker. Jedi Master and the son of Darth Vader, the man who made my life a living hell. And Leia Organa is also Vader's prodigy. I resist the anger that rises suddenly in me, fighting it down before it can overtake me. For too long I have allowed that emotion to determine how I react to things, but no longer.

The fact that Vader had children surprises me. I know he had a life before the suit, or at least I figured he did, but if he had children, Palpatine would have had them killed, or trained as his own. There's no way they would have grown to oppose him. Meaning Vader never knew these children existed. But it seems impossible, knowing that he would have been close to Leia at multiple points during the civil war.

Meaning Vader truly was blinded by the dark side. He was not a man with feelings other than hatred, anger, and violence. And it reaffirms the evil he truly was, "I'm sorry to hear that. Having that burden must weigh heavily on you. He was a truly evil being."

Whether it was the use of the word being instead of man, or just that I called his father evil, I can feel a rise of emotion in Skywalker. I can also feel conflicting feelings within him about Vader, something I never would have anticipated.

"But you are a Jedi?" I ask, interested. "Who instructed you? And you call yourself a master. Do you have pupils?"

Luke Skywalker. Jedi Master and the son of Darth Vader, the man who made my life a living hell. And Leia Organa is also Vader's prodigy. I resist the anger that rises suddenly in me, fighting it down before it can overtake me. For too long I have allowed that emotion to determine how I react to things, but no longer.

The fact that Vader had children surprises me. I know he had a life before the suit, or at least I figured he did, but if he had children, Palpatine would have had them killed, or trained as his own. There's no way they would have grown to oppose him. Meaning Vader never knew these children existed. But it seems impossible, knowing that he would have been close to Leia at multiple points during the civil war.

Meaning Vader truly was blinded by the dark side. He was not a man with feelings other than hatred, anger, and violence. And it reaffirms the evil he truly was, "I'm sorry to hear that. Having that burden must weigh heavily on you. He was a truly evil being."

Whether it was the use of the word being instead of man, or just that I called his father evil, I can feel a rise of emotion in Skywalker. I can also feel conflicting feelings within him about Vader, something I never would have anticipated.

"But you are a Jedi?" I ask, interested. "Who instructed you? And you call yourself a master. Do you have pupils?"

There's a surge of anger but, to my surprise, Starkiller fights it back down. And I'm struck with the sudden thought that that could have been me. Or Leia. If Ben hadn't hidden us, or Bail Organa adopted Leia, we would have been raised by Vader. Trained in secret as Vader's apprentices to kill the Emperor and ensure that he controlled the galaxy.

And I wonder if I would have been strong enough to resist the way Starkiller did.

"Vader's Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, hid me on Tatooine and watched over me. It's a long story, but he started my training." I take a breath as the memory still burns.

"And then Vader killed him."

"My training was completed by Master Yoda. And now, with him gone, I'm passing on those lessons to a new group of Jedi."

__________________
I don't care about your deathmatches. Don't even ask. I'll just report it as spam.

Ahh my favorite sandpit of the universe. Need to land but I hate Mos Eisley. Oh well besides they might have an inside track on the Pod-Races.

He punches up the info on Mos Eisley and smiles.

Zack? You ended up running Mos Eisley. Wonders will never cease.

He opens up his comm-link and says, "Mos Eisley this is Barrett's hatchett requesting land clearence at any port."

The voice on the other end says, "One moment please."

Barrett replies, "Mention me to Zack Pearons he's an old friend of mine. Tell him this will make up for the night in Cloud City."

Just then a familar voice says, "You're cleared for landing on docking bay 57. And the Daboo cards are ready along with a bottle of the finest Mandalorian Whisky."

Barrett smiles very widely and says, "57 on my way."

Barrett lands his ship and departs.

He sees his friend Zack waiting by the door. The two men look at each other for a moment and embrace as though they were brothers.

Zack says, "Damn it's good to see you again Alex."

Barrett replies, "Likewise my friend how did you get this job?"

Zack says, "Oh let's just say right place right time, and I pulled some strings. It's not much but it keeps me in the loop on what's going in the outer rim. Come on let's get up to my office."

The two men make their way through the Spaceport.

Barrett says, "You've cleaned this place up a bit."

Zack replies, "I do what I can. I do enough to keep the Empire from getting a foothold here, but also enough to keep the aliance from thinking I'm an ally. Best way to go is neutral."

The two men enter Zack's office and Barrett plants himself on the couch as Zack makes each of them a glass of Mandalorian Whisky.

Zack says, "So General, what brings you out here?"

Barrett asks, "How did you know?"

Zack replies, "An advantge of being neutral is that you hear all kinds of information and information is where the real power is."

Zack hands him his glass and sits in a chair opposette of him. The two men raise their glasses and say, "To the team."

They each take a drink and set their glasses down.

Barrett replies, "A meeting with Mon Mothma is what brought me to this area. I'm just taking some down time figure I might take in a couple pod races. Tell me something were you the one who encouraged Hartman to come forward with the data about the Death Star to her?"

Zack takes another drink and says, "I might've had something to do with it. You took the hit for all of us you deserved better. We all went with our lives and our careers and you lost everything that mattered to you. Your family, your command, your career, and your place in history. You should've been mentioned with all the great ones not some kind of pariah or borderline traitor."

Barrett replies, "I did what I had to do for the alliance and for you all. I knew the risks I was taking."

He takes another drink and says, "Besides could you ever see a crew like Skywalker, Leia or Solo taking orders from me?"

Zack replies, "Point to you on that, so that brings me to the big question why did you come back?"

To be continued

__________________
Know yourself & your enemy & you need not fear the outcome of a thousand battles-- General Sun-Tzu

The Chevin turns and looks to Joren and Deena, and then to Dono, and Joren didn't need the Force to see the panic in the alien's face.

The Chevin swallows hard, does his best to force whatever passes for a Chevin smile and extends his arms toward Dono.

"Ah Dono! Is that you? I thought you were somebody else! What can I do for you today?"

"Where's Drexlan?"

"Drexlan? Oh, I don't know...I haven't seen him in years."

Joren puts his hand on Chuular's shoulder, giving him a slight nudge with the Force as he speaks.

"We know that isn't true. We know that you're his contact here. He has something very important to us, and we want to negotiate it's return."

"Well...I'm not sure where he is right now, but he does have a place on the outsirts of Mos Eisley, just east of here. You may want to check there. If he isn't there, you're out of luck."

"Thank you."

With that, Joren and the others make their way to the front door of the cantina, heading out into the spaceport to find Drexlan's outpost.

After leaving the cantina, Deena, Dono and Joren decided to head East to the bounty hunter's supposed compound. As they made their way through the spaceport's marketplace, a sudden commotion caught their attention.

Near the center of the market place, next to the stand where a Gran was peddling Nerf sausage and other meats, a group of four Barabels were attacking an old man. They took turns kicking him, and slashing at him with their claws.

Joren looks over to Dono who simply shrugs, and the two head over to the reptilian thugs.

"That's enough." Joren says as they reach the thugs, who continue their assault on the old man.

The barabels ignore the intrusion, continuing to beat the man.

With a snap-hiss; Joren ignites his lightsaber and levels the blade to the neck of the lead thug.

The lead barabel looks first to the lightsaber positioned at his neck, then at Dono in his full Mandalorian armor and stiffens, before backing away from the old man.

One of the other barabels growls and lunges for Joren, however the Jedi exerts himself through the Force, and sends the reptilian thug flying through one of the nearby merchant stands, this one selling small mechanical knicknacks.

The manuever was minimal, but had the desired effect. The remaining barabels looked disbelievingly at Dono and Joren, then to their comrad laying amist a myriad of broken components, and begin their retreat...completely forgetting about the old man as they run.

"Oh, thank you. Thank you. I thought I was done for for sure." The old man says as Deena walks over to him and offers a rag to wipe the blood from his face.

"What did those barabels want with you?" She asks as she helps him along.

"I'm not entirely sure. They came at me, yelling and screaming nonsense and then just attacked. I thought they were going to kill me. They would have if you didn't show up."

"I'm Joren, this is Dono and Dee-" He stops as he feels a familiar presence aproaching from behind.

"Joren. Good to see some things never change." Says a female voice.

Joren turns to see a beautiful young woman staring back at him, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Brya." Joren says, not able to hide his surprise at seeing the young woman who had befriended them the last time they were on the planet.

After leaving the cantina, Deena, Dono and Joren decided to head East to the bounty hunter's supposed compound. As they made their way through the spaceport's marketplace, a sudden commotion caught their attention.

Near the center of the market place, next to the stand where a Gran was peddling Nerf sausage and other meats, a group of four Barabels were attacking an old man. They took turns kicking him, and slashing at him with their claws.

Joren looks over to Dono who simply shrugs, and the two head over to the reptilian thugs.

"That's enough." Joren says as they reach the thugs, who continue their assault on the old man.

The barabels ignore the intrusion, continuing to beat the man.

With a snap-hiss; Joren ignites his lightsaber and levels the blade to the neck of the lead thug.

The lead barabel looks first to the lightsaber positioned at his neck, then at Dono in his full Mandalorian armor and stiffens, before backing away from the old man.

One of the other barabels growls and lunges for Joren, however the Jedi exerts himself through the Force, and sends the reptilian thug flying through one of the nearby merchant stands, this one selling small mechanical knicknacks.

The manuever was minimal, but had the desired effect. The remaining barabels looked disbelievingly at Dono and Joren, then to their comrad laying amist a myriad of broken components, and begin their retreat...completely forgetting about the old man as they run.

"Oh, thank you. Thank you. I thought I was done for for sure." The old man says as Deena walks over to him and offers a rag to wipe the blood from his face.

"What did those barabels want with you?" She asks as she helps him along.

"I'm not entirely sure. They came at me, yelling and screaming nonsense and then just attacked. I thought they were going to kill me. They would have if you didn't show up."

"I'm Joren, this is Dono and Dee-" He stops as he feels a familiar presence aproaching from behind.

"Joren. Good to see some things never change." Says a female voice.

Joren turns to see a beautiful young woman staring back at him, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Brya." Joren says, not able to hide his surprise at seeing the young woman who had befriended them the last time they were on the planet.

Brya smiles as she moves closer to Joren and the others.

"I see that things have changed for you." She says, looking at the lightsaber now hanging from his belt.

"It's getting dark, and the Sand People have taken claim to the territory to the East. You won't get within a parsec of where you want to go. Jedi or not, you'll have to wait until morning." She pauses, before adding. "Why don't you guys stay at my place for the night? It'd be great to have you again."

Joren looks to the darkening sky and reluctantly relents.

"Sounds like a good idea."

As they turn to leave the old man puts a hand on Joren's shoulder, stopping him from leaving.

"I'd hate to be a bother, but do you think it's possible for me to come along. I don't have anywhere to go...and those thugs might come back." The old man says, almost pleading.

Joren is reluctant to take on the old man, but there is just something about him. He isn't sure what it is, but Joren can feel it. Besides, if the old man is telling the truth and he doesn't have anywhere to go, Mos Eisley is no place for an old man to be on his own.

He looks to Brya for approval, and when she nods her head in agreement he turns back to the old man.

A week or so had passed since the Yuvo incident. So far, everything seems to be in order. My men raided several Black Sun compounds and intercepted multiple spice shipments. The Sun was completely unprepared, meaning Yuvo hadn’t squealed. And while my men were busy ruining the Sun, I was rising to prominence on Coruscant. The restaurants, bars, and clubs—particularly the Outlander Club—were providing a heavy and constant flow of credits my way. With Uscru’s mayor and police captain behind bars, several districts were reporting less crime and Choller was managing to get more legislation passed. My security services remained popular with the rich and powerful, Ephant Mon kept Tatooine under my thumb, and my clan rivals—Gorga, Pazda, Grubba, Jelasi, and Anachro—all dead. It was too good to be true.

Tonight, my men prepared themselves for another raid. This time they were to take out a powerful underboss named Wayland Bostero and capture an incoming fifty kilo shipment of glitterstim coming his way. I, on the other hand, was preparing for something quite different: a gala.

Governor Choller had invited me to special fundraising event. Prominent Coruscanti artists will auction off their works and all proceeds will be donated to families who’ve lost members in the Galactic Civil War. Hopefully, my appearance at this event will put me in good standings with the Coruscanti elite. I feel it’s about time I earn some recognition for my contributions to this planet.

I prepped myself by adorning my fingers with my favorite rings, splashed on a great deal of pheromone-enhanced Falleen cologne, chewed a wad of Kinyen mint leaves and called on my accountants to have an airtaxi ready. The accountants would be accompanying me to the gala—serving as an entourage, a means of keeping track of how much I spend tonight, and as a way of relaying messages to my men. They were all equipped with comm-links for this purpose, and, although I doubt I’d need to have to contact my soldiers, I feel it’s best to be prepared for the worst.

“The airtaxi has arrived, Master Rotta.”

“Excellent. Let’s not keep the Governor waiting.”

Too good to be true.

All of the movers and shakers of this fine planet were here: artists, politicians, business moguls, socialites; this is the Coruscant that I wanted to—that should be a part of. I slithered into the grand ballroom with my entourage and all eyes immediately fell upon me. Seeing a Hutt on Coruscant wasn’t exactly shocking but a Hutt at an event like this…well, it wasn’t very common. Or welcome.

The Governor stood in the center of the room, dressed in an elegant, silvery dress and encircled by a mob of friends, acquaintances, and sycophants. Choller took notice of my entrance and waved at me. This seemed to ease the minds of the other guests but I could still see traces of shock in their faces. The mob parted for her as she moved through it to approach me. I smiled and bowed my head, happy to see her usual look of suspicion and frustration was gone.

“Hello, Rotta.”

“Good evening, Governor. It’s a pleasure to see you again. You look gorgeous, as always.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for the invitation. I must admit I was a bit surprised when I heard I was invited, given some of our past…complications and all.”

“Well, Rotta, I have to admit that you, through some strange means, have helped my administration significantly reduce crime and corruption in the Senatorial district and neighboring boroughs. And despite some of your questionable…complications, as you called it, you are still an important asset to the community.”

She glanced back at a City Councilman flanked by a pair of Nikto in black uniforms.

“Not to mention your security services seem to be very popular with this crowd.”

“I try to serve my community as best as I can, Governor.”

“I trust you’ll be participating in the auction?”

“But of course. I would love to help out families who have suffered under the atrocities of the Galactic Empire. And, like my Father, I’m quite the art collector.”

“And who is your fath—”

“—So, I assume you’ve heard that Rodia passed on joining the Republic? It seems like it will take some time before this new government can earn the trust of its former members. And even longer before the Senate is re-established.”

“Yes, unfortunately. But I suppose it will give me more time to gain experience before running.”

“Experience?”

“Oh, yes. I had plans to run for Senator of the Coruscant Sector. Under the Empire, the sector’s representatives were…largely ineffective. Incompetent, do-nothing, yes-men who sniveled under the boots of the Emperor and his Moffs. I had aspirations of joining the Senate and making some changes but it was dissolved before those dreams could ever be realized. Hopefully, I’ll get another chance under the New Republic. “

“Those are some big goals, Governor. I’d like to do what I can to see you achieve them. When the time comes, do not hesitate to come to me for campaign contributions.”

“Err, thank you, Rotta. But it as you said, it may be a while before that time comes. It was nice talking to you. Enjoy yourself,” she said before turning and returning to her mob.

* * *

“Oh, goodness!” the Pantoran said, chuckling. I don’t remember her name. She was a holovid actress or something of the sort.

“What a funny story, Rotta. What did you say you did for a living again?”

“I’m an entrepreneur. I recently moved here from…Rori.”

No one here would trust someone from Tatooine. Or take them very seriously.

“Charming little moon. Very quaint.” the Anx businessman chimed.

“Yes, very. Coruscant is quite a different beast but I seem to adapting to it alright. I already have quite a few businesses lined up.”

“—Master Rotta,” my accountant said, tapping me on the shoulder. I turn to him with a look of annoyance. I don’t like being interrupted when I’m mingling.

“There’s an--err--important matter that needs attending to.”

“A thousand pardons, please excuse me,” I said to the small group I had managed to draw together. My accountant led me out to a private balcony and presented me with a comm-link.

“Vorssk needs to speak with you.”

I snatch the comm-link from his hand and click it on.

“What is it, Vorssk?”

All I can hear is static. Static and what sounds like heavy panting. Before long, I can hear Vorssk’s voice but can hardly make out what he’s saying.

“Rotta…s….ad…..dy…..lled.”

“What? I can’t understand.”

“…wa…bad, Rotta! It went really, really bad! They were ready for us and packing some serious heat! Half our guys were killed, torn up by blaster bolts. The rest scattered. Roma got tagged, Rotugg’s MIA, our speeders have been blown to bits, we’re stranded out in some ****ing district I’ve never heard of and we are being hunted!”

Damn it! Why now? I take a deep breath and try to calm myself. One who panics never thinks clearly. Should I leave? No! Out of the question! Now is my chance to make myself known, respected, admired--this opportunity may not come again.

“I’ll take care of it, Vorssk. Hang tight and don’t get killed,” I said before clicking off the comm-link. I tossed it back to my accountant.

“Call the penthouse, have some squads with speeders track down our guys and get them the hell out of there. Make sure they’re heavily armed but tell them they are to avoid engaging the Sun unless they absolutely have to.”